Finals Week 2

Prelim Finals

Grand Final

2017-09-30T04:30:00Z

Adelaide Crows

Richmond Tigers

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Michael Firrito of the Kangaroos is tackled and is pinged in the early stages of the clash as he handballs the ball straight through the goals and was called for a deliberate rushed behind during the round 17 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Etihad Stadium on July 16, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

AFL coaches want rushed behind rule tightened

The league’s coaches have agreed that the controversial deliberate rushed behind rule needs to be tightened.

The rule, which was implemented in 2009, was applied inconsistently in 2016, with coaches, players and fans alike all confused by the applications of the rule.

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans, told 3AW Radio on Wednesday that there were robust discussions about the rushed behind rule during the AFL Laws Summit last Friday.

“One of the things we talked about was if you take clean possession and then have clean disposal over the line, we think you have had a opportunity to do something else and that will just be a clear deliberate,” he said.

There were five free kicks given against players who rushed a behind in 2016, the most since 2011, when six were awarded.